NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) – Jennifer Boykins, president of Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS), announced on Wednesday that she will be retiring by the end of the year.
According to a release from Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), Kari Wilkinson will serve as the company’s president starting on Jan. 1, 2025, taking over after Boykin’s 37 years with the company.
NNS, HII’s largest division, helps to oversee over 26,000 shipbuilders who all work to design, build and maintain complex ships, nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and nuclear-powered submarines.
“I have asked Jennifer to stay on in an advisory capacity through March to support a seamless transition to Kari,” HII CEO and President Chris Kastner said. “You will not find a more loyal advocate than Jennifer for her shipbuilders and the Hampton Roads community. Kari’s leadership has steered Ingalls Shipbuilding into its next phase of growth, having secured serial production contracts for both the destroyer and amphibious ship programs. She is a tremendous leader and now brings her great energy and expertise to Newport News.”